{"id":131218,"date":"2025-09-09T12:46:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T12:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/131218\/"},"modified":"2025-09-09T12:46:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T12:46:10","slug":"argentine-soccer-club-call-disqualification-a-political-decision-as-22-injured-in-fan-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/131218\/","title":{"rendered":"Argentine soccer club call disqualification a \u2018political decision\u2019 as 22 injured in fan violence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Argentine soccer club Independiente has said their disqualification from this year\u2019s Copa Sudamericana was a \u201cpolitical decision\u201d by South American governing body CONMEBOL.<\/p>\n

Independiente\u2019s disqualification followed the abandonment<\/a> of the second leg of their last-16 tie against Universidad de Chile in Buenos Aires last month, with violence in the stands resulting in 22 injuries and more than 100 arrests. The violent clashes included a handgun attack and excrement being thrown.<\/p>\n

After that match, Chilean president Gabriel Boric criticised the \u201cevident irresponsibility\u201d of CONMEBOL, as visiting Universidad de Chile supporters were situated in the tier above Independiente home fans.<\/p>\n

The matter was referred by CONMEBOL to its Disciplinary Commission<\/a>, which subsequently disqualified Independiente<\/a> from the competition, allowing Universidad de Chile to advance to the quarter-final stage to face Peruvian side Alianza Lima.<\/p>\n

Independiente was found guilty of breaching several regulations regarding the security of attending public, as well as risk evaluation and safety guarantees.<\/p>\n

Independiente\u2019s disqualification is subject to an appeal.<\/p>\n

\"(ALEJANDRO<\/p>\n

(Alejandro Pagni\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

In addition to Independiente\u2019s exclusion, both clubs had to play each of their next seven home matches in CONMEBOL competitions behind closed doors, while neither club would be allowed fans for their next seven away matches.<\/p>\n

CONMEBOL also imposed a $250,000 fine on both clubs, which can be paid through deductions to the club\u2019s television and sponsorship rights.<\/p>\n

In the immediate aftermath of the decision, Independiente said: \u201cFootball lost, violence won\u201d.<\/p>\n

CONMEBOL declined to comment when approached by The Athletic.<\/p>\n

Universidad de Chile president Michael Clark said \u201cjustice had been served\u201d<\/a> by the club being allowed to advance, but opposed the decision to ban the club\u2019s fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe feel that declaring us the winners was the right thing to do,\u201d Clark said, who described it as \u201ca miracle\u201d that no fans were killed in the violence. \u201c(The events) were caused by the hosting club\u2019s poor organisation and the lack of guarantees provided by the local authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Independiente later published a letter, addressed to CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, stating their \u201cstrongest condemnation\u201d of the decision and alleging that the governing body \u201cviolating its own statutes\u201d in making the decision.<\/p>\n

Compartimos con nuestras socias, socios e hinchas la nota que el Club Atl\u00e9tico Independiente le present\u00f3 hoy al Presidente de la CONMEBOL, Alejandro Dom\u00ednguez. pic.twitter.com\/CG4WMGM6mZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 C. A. Independiente (@Independiente) September 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Argentine club alleged the CONMEBOL ruling was a \u201cpolitical decision\u201d which showed a \u201cpreference for private structures through which it is easier to project agreements, business deals, and future profits\u201d.<\/p>\n

Independiente said it \u201crepresents the essence of South American football\u2026 sustained by its members\u201d, while adding that Universidad de Chile had \u201cmutated into a corporate mode which prioritises profitability and business\u201d, alleging that this difference was behind the decision. The club also said that they no longer wished for any of their material to be in the CONMEBOL museum while Dominguez remained as president as he had \u201cabandoned the spirit of South American football\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"(Alejandro<\/p>\n

Independiente midfielder Ivan Marcone said \u201cacts of violence\u201d from Universidad de Chile fans had been rewarded and the decision was \u201cdangerous for football\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to see and feel how a group of visiting fans, who came to our stadium with the clear intention of attacking our fans, are surely celebrating today that their acts of violence have resulted in their team\u2019s qualification,\u201d Marcone said, as cited by EFE press agency<\/a>.<\/p>\n

His Independiente team-mate Federico Mancuello called on other clubs from Argentina to publicise their solidarity with the club\u2019s position.<\/p>\n

The match was suspended three minutes after half-time with the score 1-1 on the night and Universidad de Chile leading 2-1 on aggregate.<\/p>\n

(Top image: Sebastian Nanco\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n